AMHERST — Winston was part of the Amherst police force for a short time only, but for those who knew and loved the late comfort dog, his efforts at making the town a better place continue to be felt.
“Winston was destined for this work from the beginning,” said Officer William Laramee, who handled the English Labrador retriever and made him part of his own family, during a memorial service on the grounds of the Inn on Boltwood Tuesday morning.
More than 100 people, including at least 16 members of law enforcement joined by their own canine companions, gathered under a large tent to remember Winston. Others there were University of Massachusetts officials, including people from the Off-Campus Life office, members of the town’s fire department and emergency dispatch unit and other town officials.
“Winston had a knack for connecting with people,” Laramee said, adding that the comfort dog carried the department through a worldwide pandemic and a period of national civil unrest, all while meeting with thousands of residents of all ages.
Many of Winston’s interactions were with local college students, with whom Laramee regularly meets as the department’s community liaison officer, and partnering with UMass officials to reduce off-campus disturbances and improve the quality of life.
On what would have been Winston’s second birthday, Laramee announced that the comfort dog program will continue with Auggie, a newly donated dog to the department. Auggie arrived at Laramee’s home Friday and will soon be sworn in and be trained to continue Winston’s legacy.
“He’s home in his crate and hopefully sleeping,” Laramee said.
The memorial service, beginning with a procession by Amherst police officers, gave people an opportunity to say their farewells to the dog that became part of the force in September 2020 from a donation by Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, New Hampshire. Winston was diagnosed with lymphoma in June, before being put down. A slide show of photos of Winston with Laramee and his family ran on a screen, while nearby a table was filled with flowers, plaques, Winston’s vest and doggie toy, and other aspects of his career.
The master of ceremonies was Tony Maroulis, executive director of community and strategic initiatives at UMass, where he mentioned seeing firsthand how Winston would pacify the irate and make Amherst a better community.
“Today, we celebrate a superstar,” Maroulis said, before calling Winston’s time a “brief, but impactful watch.”
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said he can’t imagine the police department without a comfort dog, in part because it brought everybody together. Staff at Town Hall, for instance, kept treats around for his visits, and Winston made everyone feel special, he said.
Town Council President Lynn Griesemer thanked Laramee and his family for their service and recalled Winston’s presence at the polls on Election Dday.
When Laramee pitched the idea of a comfort dog months before, he was given the blessing by Police Chief Scott Livingstone, who had initial doubts about what it could accomplish.
But Amherst Police Capt. Gabriel Ting said the department is always willing to try something new, never foreseeing how popular Winston would become. Ting said the department has been blown away by the response, including his 2,000 or more followers on Instagram
“He became the most popular officer,” Ting said, quickly noting, though, that K-9s Dash and Marvin might disagree with this assessment.
“His job was to break down barriers and connect with people who wouldn’t normally approach a police officer,” Ting said.
Offering a prayer to Winston’s memory was Kevin Whitacre, lead pastor of LifePoint Church in Chicopee, where the Laramee family worships. Whitacre said Winston was, in a way, ministering to the Amherst community, as man’s best friend.
Among those bringing their own dogs to the memorial was Brad McNamara, a Lunenburg police officer who has overseen that town’s 4 ½-year comfort dog program with Hank, and is one of the oldest such programs in the state.
McNamara presented Laramee a framed illustration of Winston from the day he was sworn in, and reflected on the value Winston gave to the community.
“Winston has done phenomenal work,” McNamara said.
